U.S. patent application number 16/479756 was filed with the patent office on 2021-10-21 for flow rate regulator.
This patent application is currently assigned to Neoperl GmbH. The applicant listed for this patent is Neoperl GmbH. Invention is credited to Keith Hart.
Application Number | 20210325913 16/479756 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005741476 |
Filed Date | 2021-10-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210325913 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hart; Keith |
October 21, 2021 |
FLOW RATE REGULATOR
Abstract
A flow rate regulator s provided that decouples regions (7) of a
regulating body (2) of a flow rate regulator (1) such that one of
the decoupled regions (7) forms a low-pressure region (9) while
another of the decoupled regions (7) defines a high-pressure region
(8).
Inventors: |
Hart; Keith;
(Worcestershire, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Neoperl GmbH |
Mullheim |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Neoperl GmbH
Mullheim
DE
|
Family ID: |
1000005741476 |
Appl. No.: |
16/479756 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
March 13, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2018/056223 |
371 Date: |
July 22, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05D 7/012 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G05D 7/01 20060101
G05D007/01 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 13, 2017 |
DE |
20 2017 101 427.4 |
Claims
1. A flow rate regulator (1) comprising: a main body (4); a
deformable regulating body (2) arranged on an inflow side (3) with
respect to the main body (4); a control gap (5) formed between the
regulating body (2) and the main body (4); at least one drain
opening (6) arranged downstream of the control gap (5) formed in
the main body (4); the regulating body (2) being adapted to provide
an inflow pressure-dependent deformation that defines a clear
opening area of the control gap (5); the control gap (5) is divided
into at least two separate regions such that the regulating body
(2) is deformable in the at least two regions (7) in an essentially
decoupled manner such that one of the two separate regions (7),
which acts as a high-pressure region (8), essentially regulates a
high-pressure behavior of the flow rate regulator (1) while an
other one of the two separate regions (7), which acts as a
low-pressure region (9), essentially regulates a low-pressure
behavior of the flow rate regulator (1).
2. The flow rate regulator (1) according claim 1, further
comprising supporting elements (10) that divide the control gap (5)
into the at least two separate regions (7) by the supporting
elements (10) supporting the regulating body (2) at essentially
zero inflow pressure.
3. The flow rate regulator (1) according to claim 2, wherein the
supporting elements (10) are formed on the main body (4).
4. The flow rate regulator (1) according to claim 2, wherein a
distance (12) between supporting elements (10) defining the
high-pressure region (8), with the distance (12) being measured
within the high-pressure region (8), is smaller than a second
distance (13) between supporting elements (10) defining the
low-pressure region (9), with the second distance (13) being
measured within the low-pressure region (9).
5. The flow rate regulator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the
high-pressure region (8) is configured to remain at least partially
open at all pressures.
6. The flow rate regulator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the
low-pressure region (9) is configured to be essentially closed
above a pressure threshold.
7. The flow rate regulator (1) according to claim 2, further
comprising at least one intermediate element (16) in the
low-pressure region (9), the at least one intermediate element (16)
is disposed which is dimensioned such that it does not contact the
regulating body (2) below an intermediate pressure and the at least
one intermediate element (16) supports the regulating body (2)
above the intermediate pressure.
8. The flow rate regulator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the
regulating body (2) is formed as a ring (18).
9. The flow rate regulator (1) according to claim 2, wherein the
supporting elements (10) are part of an arrangement of protrusions
(11, 17) and recessions (20) forming a regulating profile (21) that
defines, together with the regulating body (2), the control gap
(5).
10. The flow rate regulator (1) according to claim 9, wherein in
the at least one low-pressure region (9), the regulating profile
(21) forms a trough (30) with tilted side walls (31, 32).
11. The flow rate regulator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the
regulating body (2) is formed as a disc (25).
12. The flow rate regulator (1) according to claim 2, wherein the
supporting elements (10) have centers (26) which confine a
disc-like region (27), and the drain opening (6) is contained
within said disc-like region (27).
13. The flow rate regulator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the
drain opening (6) is covered completely by the regulating body
(2).
14. The flow rate regulator (1) according to claim 2, further
comprising a continuous surface (28) on the main body (4) formed
between a pair of adjacent supporting elements (10) defining the
high-pressure region (8).
15. The flow rate regulator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the
drain opening (6) at least one of has an essentially circular outer
periphery (29) or, in the low-pressure region (9), has an outer
contour (38) that describes a section of a circle (39) which
contains the drain opening (6).
16. The flow rate regulator (1) according to claim 1, wherein a
control curve (22) of the flow rate regulator (1) is formed by a
sum of at least a control curve (23) of the high-pressure region
(8) and a control curve (24) of the low-pressure region (9), a
maximum of the control curve (23) of the high-pressure region (8)
lies at a pressure above a pressure of an intersection point (40)
of the control curve (23) of the high-pressure region (8) with the
control curve (24) of the low-pressure region (9), or a maximum of
the control curve (24) of the low-pressure region (9) lies at a
pressure below a pressure of an intersection point (40) of the
control curve (23) of the high-pressure region (8) with the control
curve (24) of the low-pressure region (9) or both.
17. The flow rate regulator (1) according to claim 5, wherein, in
the high-pressure region (8), the main body (4) forms a groove (14)
which has a depth such that the regulating body (2) remains at a
distance from a base (15) of the groove (14) at all pressures.
18. The flow rate regulator (1) according to claim 7, wherein, the
at least one intermediate pressure is at least one of below a
pressure range in which the high-pressure region (8) regulates the
behavior or below the pressure threshold, or the at least one
intermediate element (16) is shorter the supporting element
(10).
19. The flow rate regulator (1) according to claim 7, wherein the
regulating body (2) is deformed laterally with respect to a
direction of flow (35) on the inflow side (3).
20. The flow rate regulator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the
regulating body (2) is deformed along a direction of flow (35) on
the inflow side (3), and the regulating body (2) is supported by a
shoulder (37) formed at a pin (36) that penetrates the regulating
body (2).
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The invention relates to a flow rate regulator having a
deformable regulating body which is arranged on the inflow side
with respect to a main body such that a control gap is formed
between the regulating body and the main body, wherein at least one
drain opening, arranged downstream of the control gap, is formed in
the main body, wherein a clear opening area of the control gap is
defined by an inflow pressure-dependent deformation of the
regulating body.
[0002] Such flow regulators are known and are used in order to set
a constant flow rate over a large pressure range, in particular in
sanitary systems.
[0003] In the process, the regulator body deforms in a
pressure-dependent manner and closes the control gap such that a
constant flow rate (usually always with respect to a unit of time)
is set overall over a regulating range of the pressure.
[0004] It is conventional to produce a plurality of support
elements together with the main body as an injection-moulding. The
desired flow rate is in this case definable by the arrangement and
dimensioning of the support elements.
[0005] An ideal flow rate regulator would have a control curve,
i.e. the dependence of the flow rate downstream the flow rate
regulator as a function of the pressure difference across the flow
rate regulator, which has a steep rise at low pressures and an
essentially flat or constant plateau at high pressures. However,
existing flow rate regulators may have a low-pressure behaviour
that is less steep than desired and/or an unwanted ascending
high-pressure part of the control curve.
SUMMARY
[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide a flow rate
regulator with an improved control curve.
[0007] In order to achieve the object, one or more features of the
invention are provided. Thus, in particular, in the case of a flow
regulator as described at the beginning, the invention proposes, in
order to achieve the object, that the control gap is divided into
at least two separate regions such that the regulating body can be
deformed in the at least two regions in an essentially decoupled
manner such that one of the two separate regions, as a
high-pressure region, essentially regulates a high-pressure
behavior of the flow rate regulator while the other one of the two
separate regions, as a low-pressure region, essentially regulates a
low-pressure behavior of the flow rate regulator. Thus, the
high-pressure and low-pressure behaviors may be designed
independently of each other. One advantage is that the design of
the high-pressure behavior, which is difficult to manage in
practice, can be developed after a certain low-pressure behavior
has been achieved, without destroying or influencing that
low-pressure behavior. The invention uses the realization that the
decoupling of the low-pressure and high-pressure behaviors allows
for such individual design attempts since cross-influences between
the at least two regions are suppressed or minimized. Thus, a
low-pressure behavior with a steep part of the control curve and a
high-pressure behavior with a flat part of the control curve may be
achieved.
[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is
contemplated that the control gap is divided into the at least two
separate regions by supporting elements that support the regulating
body already at essentially zero inflow pressure. It has been found
that resting the regulating body at supporting elements is an
easily controllable means to decouple neighboring regions of the
regulating body that are separated by said supporting elements.
[0009] It is advantageous if the support elements support the
regulating body across the control gap. Thus, the supporting
elements take on the forces acting on the regulating body such that
an effective decoupling between regions as achieved.
[0010] In particular, the regulating body may be in contact with
the supporting elements at and above a pressure below 0.1 bar.
Thus, the decoupling starts at very low pressures so that the
behavior of the flow rate regulator may be designed over a pressure
range as wide as possible.
[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is
contemplated that supporting elements, in particular the supporting
elements described above, are formed at the main body. Thus, the
supporting elements may be formed together with the main body by
injection molding. Here, although various forms and arrangements of
supporting elements may be used, it is particularly advantageous if
the supporting elements are formed as fixed protrusions. This
allows a stable support of the regulating body.
[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is
contemplated that a distance between supporting elements defining
the high-pressure region, wherein the distance is measured within
the high-pressure region, is smaller than a distance between
supporting elements defining the low-pressure region, wherein the
distance is measured within the low-pressure region. The distance
in the low-pressure region may be considerably larger than the
distance in the high-pressure region. The distance in the
low-pressure region may be at least two, at least five or at least
ten or even at least twenty times the distance in the high-pressure
region. If a part of the regulating body spans a wide distance, it
will essentially determine the regulating behavior at low
pressures. This is because the regulating body can be easily
deformed if there are only few or sparse supporting elements. On
the other hand, supporting elements that are arranged close to each
other define high-pressure regions as a deformation of the
regulating body in this region can be achieved at high pressures
only.
[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is
contemplated that the high-pressure region is formed such that it
remains at least partially open at all pressures. This avoids
complete blockings of the flow.
[0014] In general, the distribution, number and form of the high-
and low-pressure regions may be arbitrary and adapted to the
desired control curve.
[0015] However, a preferred arrangement has only one low-pressure
region. Thus, as much space as possible may be used for the
low-pressure region. As a result, the regulating body may span the
widest possible distance in order to provide a very flexible part
of the regulating body that responds readily at very low
pressures.
[0016] In another preferred arrangement, there are as many
high-pressure regions as there are low-pressure regions.
[0017] Alternatively or additionally, there may be more than one
high-pressure region. These high-pressure regions may be
individually shaped in general. In a preferred arrangement, the
high-pressure regions may be shaped identically. This may reduce
the number of degrees of freedom in the design in order to simplify
the design process to achieve a desired control curve.
[0018] In order to have identical conditions for all high-pressure
regions, an arrangement of the regions such that an n-fold discrete
symmetry is created is advantageous. This way, a given number of
high-level regions may be provided such that all high-level regions
have identical surroundings. Although the regulating body decouples
at the boundary between two adjacent regions, there may be still
some interaction for instance because of tensions carried in the
material of the regulation body. Creating identical surroundings
for all high-pressure regions is a way to render those interactions
negligible.
[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is
contemplated that the low-pressure region is formed such that it is
essentially closed above a pressure threshold. Thus, above that
pressure threshold, the low-pressure region is essentially inactive
and does not influence the regulating behavior.
[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is
contemplated that in the low-pressure region at least one
intermediate element is disposed which is dimensioned such that it
does not contact the regulating body below an intermediate pressure
and that it supports the regulating body above the intermediate
pressure. Thus, the intermediate elements will be inactive at low
pressures, while at intermediate pressures an additional division
of the regulating body into subregions occurs due to the
intermediate element contacting the regulating body. Dividing the
regulating body further in decoupled subregions on the low-pressure
side is a means to shape the transition region between the
low-pressure and high-pressure regions. Intermediate elements may
avoid an excessive fluctuation of the control curve in the
transition region. This is advantageous as the transition region
may shift to high pressure values if there is a restriction
downstream of the flow rate regulator. If the control curve showed
large fluctuations in this case, dangerous flow rate peaks would
occur. This principle may be continued to divide regions and
subregions further.
[0021] In many cases, the intermediate element will be shorter than
the supporting elements. For instance, it may be much shorter, in
particular more than two, more than three or more than five times
shorter.
[0022] In particular, the intermediate pressure may be below a
pressure range in which the high-pressure region regulates the
behavior. Thus, the intermediate element controls the behavior in
the low-pressure range only.
[0023] Alternatively or additionally, the intermediate pressure may
be below the pressure threshold. Thus, the influence of the
intermediate elements on the control curve is eliminated above the
low-pressure region.
[0024] Alternatively or additionally, the intermediate element is
shorter than a supporting element, i.e. than the supporting element
described above. Thus, at very low pressures, the regulation body
may not touch the main body. In this manner, a deactivation of the
intermediate elements at very low pressures and/or an automatic
activation above a certain threshold can be achieved. The
intermediate element may be more than two, three, or five times
shorter than the supporting elements.
[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is
contemplated that the regulating body is formed as a ring. In
particular, the regulating body may be an O-ring. Using O-rings is
a common way to create flow rate regulators. Thus, the invention
can be used for a large class of flow rate regulators.
[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is
contemplated that the regulating body is deformed laterally with
respect to a direction of flow on the inflow side. This is
particularly useful in combination with a regulating body in the
form of a ring. In particular, the regulating body may be supported
by at least one web arranged in the drain opening. This is an easy
way to keep the regulating body at its working position.
[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is
contemplated that the supporting elements are part of an
arrangement of protrusions and recessions forming a regulating
profile that defines, together with the regulating body, the
control gap. Thus, the supporting elements and, if applicable, the
intermediate elements as well may be incorporated in the regulating
profile. This keeps a dimension of the flow rate regulator as small
as possible.
[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is
contemplated that in the at least one low-pressure region, a
regulating profile, in particular the regulating profile describes
above, forms a trough with tilted side walls. Thus, the sharp
corners at supporting elements may be avoided so that the
regulating body may contact the main body smoothly without or at
least essentially without (e.g. such that the leaking flow is
negligible compared to the total flow) leaving unwanted bleed holes
above a certain pressure level.
[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is
contemplated that the regulating body is formed as a disc. The disc
may be mounted in its center (like a washer) or at one or more
regions at its periphery. Thus, the invention may be used at
another important class of flow rate regulators, namely with
disc-like regulating body.
[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is
contemplated that the regulating body is deformed along a direction
of flow on the inflow side. This is particularly useful for
disc-like regulating bodies. In particular, the regulating body may
be supported by a shoulder, preferably at its center. It may be
fixed by a pin that penetrates the regulating body. The pin may
carry the shoulder. Thus, the regulating body may be kept at its
working position.
[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is
contemplated that the supporting elements have centers which
confine a disc-like region. In particular, the drain opening may be
contained within said region.
[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is
contemplated that the drain opening is covered completely by the
regulating body. Hence, as soon as the regulating body contacts a
region on which the drain opening is formed, it will essentially
close the drain opening.
[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is
contemplated that between a pair of adjacent supporting elements
defining the high-pressure region, there is formed a continuous
surface on the main body. Thus, the flow passes through the control
gap in an essentially undisturbed manner.
[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is
contemplated that the drain opening has an essentially circular
outer periphery. This allows an easy adaption between the
regulating body and the drain opening.
[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is
contemplated that a control curve, in particular the control curve
described above, of the flow rate regulator can be written as a sum
of at least a control curve of the high-pressure region and a
control curve of the low-pressure region. Given this, it may be
established that a maximum of the control curve of the
high-pressure region lies at a pressure above a pressure of an
intersection point of the control curve of the high-pressure region
with the control curve of the low-pressure region. Thus, an
essentially high-pressure behavior may be defined. In addition or
alternatively, a maximum of the control curve of the low-pressure
region may lie at a pressure below a pressure of an intersection
point of the control curve of the high-pressure region with the
control curve of the low-pressure region. Thus, an essentially
high-pressure behavior may be defined.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] The invention will now be described in more detail on the
basis of exemplary embodiments, but is not limited to these
exemplary embodiments. Further exemplary embodiments result from
combining the features of individual claims or a plurality of
claims with one another and/or with individual features or a
plurality of features of the exemplary embodiments. In the
drawings:
[0037] FIG. 1 shows a first example of a flow rate regulator
according to the invention,
[0038] FIG. 2 shows a second example of a flow rate regulator
according to the invention,
[0039] FIG. 3 shows a third example of a flow rate regulator
according to the invention,
[0040] FIG. 4 shows a control curve for the flow rate regulator of
FIG. 1,
[0041] FIG. 5A to 5D show the flow rate regulator of FIG. 1 at
different pressures a to d of FIG. 4,
[0042] FIG. 6 shows a detail of FIG. 5D,
[0043] FIG. 7 shows a fourth example of a flow rate regulator
according to the invention,
[0044] FIG. 8 shows the flow rate regulator of FIG. 7 with
regulating body removed,
[0045] FIG. 9 shows the flow rate regulator of FIG. 7 without
regulating body in a view from above in the direction of flow,
[0046] FIG. 10 shows a control curve for the flow rate regulator of
FIG. 7,
[0047] FIG. 11A to 11D show the flow rate regulator of FIG. 7 at
different pressures a to d of FIG. 10 in order to illustrate
deformation of the regulating body in the low-pressure region,
[0048] FIG. 12 shows the control curve of FIG. 10 for the flow rate
regulator of FIG. 7, and
[0049] FIG. 13A to 13D show the flow rate regulator of FIG. 7 at
different pressures a to d of FIG. 12 in order to illustrate
deformation of the regulating body in the low-pressure region.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0050] FIG. 1 shows a flow rate regulator 1 according to the
invention. The flow rate regulator 1 has a regulating body 2 that
is deformable under water pressure. The regulating body 2 is made
of an elastic material, e.g. rubber.
[0051] The regulating body 2 is mounted on the inflow side 3 of a
main body 4.
[0052] Between the main body 4 and the regulating body 2, a control
gap 5 is formed.
[0053] Downstream of the control gap 5, an essentially circular
drain opening 6 is formed through which the water will flow out of
the flow rate regulator 1.
[0054] Depending on the pressure applied on the regulating body 2,
i.e. the inflow pressure or a pressure difference across the flow
rate regulator 1, the regulating body 2 will be deformed. This
results in a change of the area of the control gap 5, measured
perpendicularly with respect to the direction of flow in the
control gap 5.
[0055] As already mentioned, behind the control gap 5 there is the
drain opening 6. Water or the like fluid will enter the flow rate
regulator 1 through control gap 5 and leave the flow rate regulator
1 through the drain opening 6.
[0056] As explained in more detail below, the regulating body 2 is
divided into regions 7 that are adjacent to each other.
[0057] The regions 7 can be grouped as high-pressure regions 8 and
low-pressure regions 9.
[0058] Between two adjacent regions 7, a supporting element 10 is
arranged to support the regulating body 2 at low pressures even
below 0.1 bar. This is achieved by letting the supporting element
10 contact the regulating body 2 at zero pressure. This contact
effectively decouples the portions of the regulating body 2 in
adjacent regions 7.
[0059] The supporting elements 10 are formed integrally with the
main body 2 as fixed protrusions 11.
[0060] The supporting elements 10 which define a high-pressure
region 8 are arranged closer together than supporting elements 10
which define a low-pressure region 9. Thus, a distance 12, in this
case measured as an angular distance, between supporting elements
10 confining a high-pressure region 8, is considerably shorter than
a distance 13, also in this case measured as an angular distance,
between supporting elements 10 confining a low-pressure region 9.
In other embodiments, the distances 12, 13 may be measured along
straight lines.
[0061] Hence, in FIG. 1, the regulating body 2 spans a smaller
distance 12 in a high-pressure region 8 while it spans a larger
distance 13 in a low-pressure region 9.
[0062] As will be described in more detail below, the high-pressure
region 8 is formed by a groove 14. The depth of this groove 14 is
such that the regulation body 2 will not, even at very high
pressures achievable in sanitary systems, touch its ground 15.
[0063] In this example, this is achieved by a rectangular cross
section of the groove 14 wherein the width is much smaller than the
height of the groove 14.
[0064] The supporting elements 10 that define the low-pressure
region 9 as a boundary are spaced apart such that the regulating
body 2 will, above a certain pressure threshold, contact the main
body 4 along the full or essentially full size of the low-pressure
region 9. Thus, no water will flow through the control gap 5 in the
low-pressure region 9 above said pressure threshold.
[0065] To achieve this, the supporting elements 10 fall off less
rapidly on the low-pressure side than they do in the high-pressure
side. Thus, the contour forming the control gap 5 describes a
trough 30 with tilted side walls 31, 32.
[0066] In the low-pressure region 9, there is an intermediate
element 16 in addition. This is formed by a protrusion 17 of
smaller size compared to the supporting elements 10. The height of
the intermediate element 16 may be, for example, less than half or
less than one third the height of the supporting elements 10.
[0067] The height of the intermediate element 16 is such that it
does not contact the regulating body 2 at zero pressure, i.e. in an
undeformed state of the regulating body 2.
[0068] FIG. 2 shows a further exemplary embodiment according to the
invention. Components and functional units that are structurally
and/or functionally similar or identical to the preceding exemplary
embodiment are denoted by the same reference signs and not
described separately. The information given with respect to FIG. 1
therefore applies, mutatis mutandis, to FIG. 2.
[0069] While in the embodiment of FIG. 1, high-pressure regions 8
and low-pressure regions 9 are arranged such that they form an
alternating sequence, in the embodiment of FIG. 2 there is a
sequence of several consecutive high-pressure regions 8 that are
adjacent to each other. In other words, the apparent fourfold
symmetry of the arrangement of FIG. 1 is not necessary to achieve
the benefits of the invention. However, the arrangement of FIG. 1
is preferred for most case due to its simplicity in design.
[0070] Further, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, one single
low-pressure region is formed that stretches as far as possible,
i.e. more than 270.degree..
[0071] Other embodiments may have more or less than three
high-pressure regions.
[0072] FIG. 3 shows a third exemplary embodiment according to the
invention. Components and functional units that are structurally
and/or functionally similar or identical to the preceding exemplary
embodiment are denoted by the same reference signs and not
described separately. The information given with respect to FIGS. 1
and 2 therefore applies, mutatis mutandis, to FIG. 3.
[0073] While in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 the protrusions
11, 17 are projecting in a radially outward manner, in the
embodiment of FIG. 3 they project inwardly.
[0074] In this case, the high-pressure regions have inwardly tilted
side walls 31, 32 in order to further prevent the regulating body 2
from fully closing the control gap 5.
[0075] Such inwardly tilted side walls 31, 32 may be used in the
other designs as well.
[0076] In other embodiments, some of the projections 11, 17 may be
projecting outwardly while others may project inwardly.
[0077] Also, in other embodiments, there may be more than one
low-pressure region 9, although in many case it suffices to have
one low-pressure region 9.
[0078] Between adjacent protrusions 11, 17, there are formed
recessions 20. The sequence of protrusions 11, 17 and recessions 20
define a regulating profile 21.
[0079] The flow rate regulators 1 of FIGS. 1 to 3 are of the ring
type. The regulating bodies 2 are form as rings 18. In these
examples, the rings 18 have a circular shape, so that the
regulating bodies 2 can be O-rings 19.
[0080] Hence, the regulating body 2 is deformed in a direction
perpendicular or laterally to the main direction of flow 35 (which
is itself is parallel to the direction of view in FIGS. 1 to
3).
[0081] FIG. 2 shows webs 33 in the drain opening 6 on which the
regulating body 2 rests. A similar construction is present in the
other embodiments as well, although not shown there.
[0082] FIG. 4 shows a control curve 22 of the flow rate regulator 1
of FIG. 1. Similar curves will apply for the flow rate regulators
of FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0083] The control curve 22 shows the dependence of the flow rate
through the drain opening 6 on the pressure difference across the
flow rate regulator 1.
[0084] The control curve 22 is the sum of the control curve 23 of
the high-pressure regions 8 and the control curve 24 of the
high-pressure regions 9. The control curve 23 of the high-pressure
region 8 intersects the control curve 24 of the low-pressure region
9 at an intersection point 40.
[0085] Control curve 23 shows that the low-pressure region 9 does
not contribute in an essential way above a pressure threshold
approximately at c.
[0086] Thus, it can be seen that a maximum--here a limit value
approximately at the constant flow level--of the control curve 23
of the high-pressure region 8 lies at a pressure above a pressure
of the intersection point 40.
[0087] Likewise, a maximum--here the kink 34--of the control curve
24 of the low-pressure region 9 lies at a pressure below the
pressure of said intersection point 40.
[0088] FIGS. 5A through 5D show the corresponding deformation of
the regulating body 2 at the respective pressures a (FIG. 5A), b
(FIG. 5B), c (FIG. 5C), d (FIG. 5D) of FIG. 4.
[0089] It is apparent that at pressure c (FIG. 5C), the control gap
5 is essentially closed in the low-pressure regions 9. The
remaining area in the low-pressure regions 9 may be less than one
third of the total cross sectional area of the control gap 5 at
this pressure. Hence, essentially all flow is going through the
high-pressure regions 8.
[0090] In FIG. 6 it is shown that the regulating body 2 is deformed
to intrude in the cross section area of the high-pressure regions 8
in order to achieve a constant flow rate at high pressure
values.
[0091] In FIG. 5B, at pressure b, the intermediate element 16
contacts the regulating body 2 whereas in FIG. 5A, at pressure a,
it does not. This additional support modifies the control curve 24
in such a way that the slope is less steep for higher pressures.
This in turn allows to adjust the high-pressure end of the control
curve 24 such that it matches that of control curve 23 in order to
yield a constant flow rate while at the same time being able to
achieve a steep slope at the intermediate pressure ranges (above
the kink 34) in order to achieve that constant flow rate also at
such pressure levels.
[0092] At pressure levels below the kink 34 the regulating body 2
is not deformed.
[0093] FIGS. 7 to 9 show a forth exemplary embodiment according to
the invention. Components and functional units that are
structurally and/or functionally similar or identical to the
preceding exemplary embodiment are denoted by the same reference
signs and not described separately. The information given with
respect to FIGS. 1 to 3 therefore applies, mutatis mutandis, to
FIGS. 7 to 9.
[0094] The flow rate regulator 1 of FIGS. 7 to 9 is of the disc
type. The regulating body 2 is shaped like a washer and made of
elastically deformable material like rubber.
[0095] The regulating body 2 is set on a pin 36 and rests on a
shoulder 37. The pin 36 penetrates the regulation body 2 at a
central hole.
[0096] Hence, the deformation of the regulating body 2 is--unlike
to FIGS. 1 to 6--in or longitudinally to the main direction of the
flow 35 (i.e. the direction of view in FIG. 9).
[0097] The supporting elements 10 are of identical height at or
above the position of the shoulder 37. Thus, the supporting
elements 10 contact the regulating body 2 already at zero
pressure.
[0098] In FIG. 9, it is shown that the centers 26 of the supporting
elements 10 and the intermediate elements 16 define a disc-like
region 27 which contains the drain opening 6.
[0099] The regulating body 2 extends somewhat beyond that disc-like
region 27 so that it covers the drain opening 6.
[0100] The drain opening 6, in turn, has an essentially (where the
supporting elements 10 and the intermediate elements 16 are
neglected) circular outer periphery 29.
[0101] Moreover, it can be seen that in the low-pressure region 9
an outer contour 38 of the drain opening 6 describes a section of a
circle 39. In this example, the circle 39 coincides with a boundary
of the disc-like region 27. The drain opening 6 is fully contained
within said circle 39, while the contact surface 38 extends beyond
it.
[0102] Between two adjacent supporting elements 10, a continuous
surface 28 is formed on the main body 4.
[0103] The height of supporting elements 10 in relation to the
distance 12 is such that the regulating body 2 cannot reach the
continuous surface 28. Hence, the control gap 5 remains at least
partially open at all pressure levels.
[0104] It can be seen from the drawings that there are two
intermediate elements 16 in one low-pressure region 9. In other
embodiments, other numbers of intermediate elements 16 are arrange
within each low-pressure region 9.
[0105] FIG. 10 shows a control curve 22 of the flow rate regulator
1 of FIGS. 7 to 9. The explanations given to FIG. 4 also apply
here.
[0106] FIGS. 11A through 11D show the corresponding deformation of
the regulating body 2 at the respective pressures a (FIG. 11A), b
(FIG. 11B), c (FIG. 11C), d (FIG. 11D) of FIG. 10 when the
low-pressure region 9 of flow rate regulator 1 is viewed.
[0107] It can be seen that the effect of the intermediate elements
16 starts between pressures b and c. Beyond pressure level c, there
is no substantial change in the cross sectional area of the control
gap 5 in the low-pressure region 9. That part of the control gap 5
does not contribute to the overall flow rate at this pressure
level.
[0108] FIGS. 13A through 13D show the corresponding deformation of
the regulating body 2 at the respective pressures a (FIG. 13A), b
(FIG. 13B), c (FIG. 13C), d (FIG. 13D) of FIG. 10 when the
high-pressure region 8 of flow rate regulator 1 is viewed. To
assist in reading, the content of FIG. 10 is repeated as FIG.
12.
[0109] It can be seen read of the control curve 23 that there are
deformations of the regulating body 2 in the high-pressure regions
8 although they are barely visible. FIG. 13D indicates that at very
high-pressure levels, substantial deformations will occur. Those
deformations, however, will not lead to a contact between the
regulating body 2 and the continuous surface 28.
[0110] FIG. 11A clearly shows that the height of the intermediate
element 16 is less than 1/5 of the height of the supporting
elements 10.
[0111] According to the invention, it is proposed to decouple
regions 7 of a regulating body 2 of a flow rate regulator 1 such
that one of the decoupled regions 7 forms a low-pressure region 9
while another of the decoupled regions 7 defines a high-pressure
region 8.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0112] 1 flow rate regulator [0113] 2 regulating body [0114] 3
inflow side [0115] 4 main body [0116] 5 control gap [0117] 6 drain
opening [0118] 7 region [0119] 8 high-pressure region [0120] 9
low-pressure region [0121] 10 supporting element [0122] 11
protrusion [0123] 12 distance [0124] 13 distance [0125] 14 groove
[0126] 15 ground of 14 [0127] 16 intermediate element [0128] 17
protrusion [0129] 18 ring [0130] 19 O-ring [0131] 20 recessions
[0132] 21 regulating profile [0133] 22 control curve [0134] 23
control curve of the high-pressure regions [0135] 24 control curve
of the low-pressure regions [0136] 25 disc [0137] 26 center [0138]
27 disc-like region [0139] 28 continuous surface [0140] 29
periphery [0141] 30 trough [0142] 31 side wall [0143] 32 side wall
[0144] 33 web [0145] 34 kink [0146] 35 main direction of flow
[0147] 36 pin [0148] 37 shoulder [0149] 38 contour [0150] 39 circle
[0151] 40 intersection point
* * * * *